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The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 May 2025.

UK Military Advisor, Lt Col Joby Rimmer, says that despite claiming commitment to peace, Russia has escalated its military aggression by refusing to engage in peace talks, launching record-breaking drone attacks on Ukrainian civilians, and continuing to violate international law.

Thank you, Madame Chair. When Russia initiated its war of aggression on Ukraine on 24 February 2022, there was no doubt about the illegality of this undertaking. The full-scale invasion contravened all the underpinning documents of this organisation to which we are all signatories and violates international law. The responsibility for this illegal military invasion absolutely sits with Russia. However, Russia continues to blame others for prolonging the conflict that they started and continues to accuse others of seeking to ‘gain military superiority’ in a conflict that they initiated.

The UK’s continued and unwavering support to Ukraine is not about achieving military superiority but about defending a sovereign nation under attack. The UK, along with our allies, has consistently emphasised that military aid is in support of Ukraine’s self-defence and aimed at helping Ukraine uphold its territorial integrity in accordance with international law. Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently reiterated that the UK’s goal is peace, not escalation.

In contrast, the Russian Federation insist that they remain committed to a negotiated solution, but their actions say otherwise. While President Zelenskyy travelled to Istanbul on 15th May to attend peace talks, supported by the USA and hosted by Türkiye, in good faith, President Putin refused to the same. On the same day President Putin dodged the possibility for constructive negotiations, his Armed Forces launched 112 drones at Ukrainian cities, killing and injuring civilians. On 17th May, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission confirmed that a Russian drone hit a bus evacuating civilians in Ukraine’s Sumy region, killing nine non-combatants. On 18th May, Russia launched 273 one-way attack (OWA) drones against multiple targets in Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk oblasts. This is reportedly the largest wave of uncrewed aerial systems Russia has launched into Ukraine – surpassing the 267 drones launched on 23rd February 2025.

This is not evidence of a genuine commitment to peaceful resolution. This is fundamentally military escalation and an increase in the indiscriminate targeting of civilians. As a result, the UK is further increasing sanctions on Russia as President Putin further intensifies these strikes on Ukrainian civilians. Yesterday we announced the sanctioning of 100 targets across Russian energy, and financial services sectors, the Russian military industrial complex and its third country suppliers, and malign actors involved in democratic interference and Russia’s information war on Ukraine.

At the opening session of the FSC on 14th May, The Russian delegation spoke of the ‘need to increase the effectiveness of the FSC’. We couldn’t agree more. The UK supports the opportunity to pursue the politico-military advantages of the FSC, to encourage enhanced implementation of arms control, and of confidence- and security-building measures. But this is impossible whilst Russia continues to violate the principles of the Helsinki Final Act, and broader international law. The UK also agrees with another comment from Russia’s opening address last week that ‘the FSC is not a place for hate speech and incitement to confrontation’. And we would encourage Russia to refrain from disrespectful language in the forum, particularly towards Ukraine, and of spreading disinformation about the intentions of the UK and our allies. We look forward to a constructive trimester.

The UK will continue to play a leading role in accelerating work on Ukraine’s future security, and we strongly urge Russia to commit to an immediate, complete and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to buy the space and conditions for further negotiations. Europe is ready if President Putin chooses the path of peace. Thank you, Madame Chair.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 May 2025.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria.

We are encouraged to hear about the UN’s progress in strengthening engagement with the new Syrian Government.

I will make three points today.

First, we welcome President Trump’s announcement of lifting of US sanctions.

This positive step will create significant opportunity for economic recovery and development across Syria.

This follows the UK’s decision in April to lift our own sectoral sanctions on areas including trade, energy production and finance.

We remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting the Syrian people in rebuilding their country and economy.

Second, whilst economic recovery is vital, it must go hand in hand with an inclusive and peaceful transition that reconciles Syria’s diverse groups.

The UK was appalled by the attacks this month against the Druze community in Syria.

There can be no lasting peace or better future for Syrians unless all of Syria’s communities are protected and fully included in Syria’s political transition.

We call on all parties to reject violence, engage in dialogue and ensure the protection of civilians.

We note progress in reconciling Syrian groups into centralised structures.

Existing agreements, including those signed with the Syrian Democratic Forces and with the Druze leadership, should now be implemented in full.

We also call on Israel to refrain from actions that risk destabilising Syria and to respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Third, as the new Syrian Government enters its third month, we look forward to seeing a clear timeline for next steps in the political transition.

We welcome and stand ready to support the newly announced National Commissions for Transitional Justice and for Missing Persons. Both will help Syria heal and move forward after years of suffering.

This political transition should be inclusive and allow Syrians to have a say in what comes next.

President, in conclusion, the UK stands ready to support the Syrian Government in their next steps on the path towards a more prosperous, peaceful and stable future that the Syrian people deserve.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 May 2025.

Joint statement from the Panel co-chairs, Lord Collins of Highbury, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs and H.E. Salah Ahmed Jama, Deputy Prime Minister, Federal Government of Somalia.

Joint statement:

“Today marks the first meeting of the High-Level Panel on Social Protection in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings. And the beginning of our six-month mandate.

Nearly three-quarters of the world’s extreme poor live in fragile settings, where crises are lasting longer, forcing more people from their homes, and contributing to migration.

When floods, cyclones and droughts hit, when conflict breaks out, when economic shocks destroy livelihoods, social protection can provide a first line of defence, an effective locally led solution that enables the most vulnerable people to withstand, survive, recover from crisis and rebuild their lives at home. One that reduces the need for humanitarian response.

But despite its proven potential, it is often overlooked in the fragile and conflict-affected settings where it is needed most.

Over the next six months, the Panel will gather and review lessons from across sectors and regions – including through a forthcoming global public enquiry. As co-chairs, our goal is to come up with bold, practical recommendations that can drive meaningful change.”